Who is this choice relevant to?

Those choosing a biscuit for coffee

You’re looking for a biscuit to have with coffee or tea and choosing between the crisp texture of a spritz biscuit and the biscuit style of a digestive.

Label checkers

You want to compare sugars, saturates, fibre and salt per 100 g, without assuming from the name ‘digestive’ that it has particular nutritional benefits.

Shoppers with dietary or allergen restrictions

For example, you may be looking for a product specifically labelled gluten-free, lactose-free or vegan, or a biscuit without palm oil. Ingredients and allergens can vary between products.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re after the flavour and texture of a spritz biscuit or a digestive. Then compare the labels on the specific products, especially if nutritional values or ingredients are important to your choice.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Flavour and texture Check whether you’re choosing a plain spritz biscuit, a chocolate variety or a plain digestive; the variety affects which ingredients you’ll be comparing. I mainly want a crisp biscuit with the distinctive flavour of a spritz to have with my coffee. For around 39% of consumers, that flavour would be the main reason for choosing.
Nutritional value Always compare sugars, saturates, fibre and salt per 100 g; check the serving size too. When choosing between these biscuits, I want to compare their nutritional information on a like-for-like basis. For around 31% of consumers, this would be their first priority.
Gluten and allergens Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the current packaging. If you need to avoid gluten, look for a product specifically labelled gluten-free. I need to be able to check whether my chosen product suits my allergen restriction. For around 15% of consumers, this would be their main consideration.
Vegan or palm-oil-free Check the ingredients and the labelling on the specific product; vegan or palm-oil-free does not mean gluten-free. I’m specifically looking for a vegan biscuit or a variety without palm oil. For around 15% of consumers, this product requirement would be the first thing guiding their choice.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘digestive’ tells you about nutritional value

    A digestive can contain sugars, salt and saturates. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises not to rely solely on the front of the packaging.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and the ingredients list with those of the spritz biscuit you’re considering.

  • Assuming a type of biscuit tells you its allergen status

    According to Verkade, Verkade NoboSprits Original contains wheat and milk ingredients. A digestive sold as gluten-free may contain other allergens.

    Check the current ingredients list, allergens and any ‘may contain’ information for every variety.

  • Confusing vegan or palm-oil-free with gluten-free

    The Flower Farm Digestives Zonder Palmolie is sold as vegan, but according to the product information it contains wheat.

    Check ingredient preferences and essential allergen restrictions separately on the label.

Brands to compare

Verkade

NoboSprits Original is a good reference point if you’re looking for a plain spritz biscuit to have with coffee or tea.

  • For NoboSprits Original, Verkade lists ingredients including wheat flour and milk ingredients, as well as nutritional information per 100 g.
  • This product isn’t suitable if you need to avoid wheat or milk. The nutritional values for Original don’t automatically apply to a chocolate variety.

McVitie's

Digestives Original is a plain digestive you can compare with a spritz biscuit.

  • According to Jumbo’s product information, Digestives Original contains 3,7 g of fibre and 10,1 g of saturates per 100 g.
  • The biscuit contains wheat and may contain milk; the name ‘digestive’ doesn’t mean the product is allergen-free.

The Flower Farm

The Digestives Zonder Palmolie product reviewed here is worth considering if avoiding that ingredient is your priority.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists sunflower oil and describes this variety as palm-oil-free and vegan.
  • This variety also contains wheat; choosing vegan or palm-oil-free doesn’t remove the need to check for gluten.

Schär

Digestive Landtaler is sold as a gluten-free biscuit.

  • This specific variety offers a digestive option when you need a product explicitly labelled gluten-free.
  • According to Jumbo’s product information, this variety contains soya and may contain lupin and egg. Gluten-free doesn’t mean allergen-free.

AH

AH Digestive is a supermarket own-brand plain digestive.

  • Albert Heijn labels this variety as vegan and lactose-free.
  • The biscuit contains wheat. Check the current packaging if gluten or other allergens are also important to your choice.

Spritz biscuits and digestives at Joybuy

These products show a plain digestive and a spritz biscuit covered in milk chocolate. Check the chocolate variety’s own label; it isn’t the same product as a plain spritz biscuit.

McVities Digestive Original, 400 g pack

McVities Digestive Original 400 g

A plain digestive for anyone looking for this style of biscuit to have with coffee or tea. This is a 400 g pack.

The product contains wheat and may contain milk. If you need to avoid an allergen, check the current packaging.

View at Joybuy
Verkade Nobo Spritzed Milk Chocolate, 150 g pack

Verkade Nobo Spritzed Milk Chocolate 150 g

A spritz biscuit for anyone who wants a biscuit with milk chocolate rather than a plain spritz. This is a 150 g pack.

The ingredients and nutritional values are for this chocolate variety; don’t assume they apply to NoboSprits Original. If you need to avoid an allergen, check the current packaging.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does a digestive automatically make a different nutritional choice from a spritz biscuit?

Nutritional values vary by product; the name ‘digestive’ doesn’t tell you everything you need to know. According to Verkade’s product information, NoboSprits Original contains 14,81 g of saturates per 100 g, compared with 1,8 g per 100 g for AH Digestive, according to Albert Heijn. Compare the other nutritional values and ingredients too.

Which biscuit should I choose if I need to avoid gluten?

Choose a product specifically labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging. Schär Digestive Landtaler is sold by Jumbo as gluten-free; the product information also lists soya and the possible presence of lupin and egg.

How should I store spritz biscuits and digestives after opening?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal the pack well after opening. This helps limit exposure to air and moisture while you store the biscuits.

Where can I check allergens in pre-packed biscuits?

Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging, including any warning about possible traces. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the mandatory labelling requirements for 14 allergens; a label such as vegan or gluten-free doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from all other allergens.